Social media is an exciting new way to interact with the world, allowing participants to post their lives online for all to see. Naturally, relationships made the effort to adapt to the digital addition. How has the online world altered them? Read on to learn more about the impact social media has had on relationships of all varieties during its short time in the world.
How Social Media Impacts Relationships
1. Distraction from Face-to-Face Communication
Social media tends to distract from face-to-face communication. Rather than talking to each other, participants tend to feel they’re somehow getting interactions through liking someone’s post online or reposting something. There’s the option for private messaging and comments, discarding the need for many to speak to someone in person – even in romance.
2. Promotion of Unrealistic Expectations
Unfortunately, social media is a place where unrealistic expectations grow. From the mother of five who seems to have her life in perfect order every second of the day to muscular male models who seem to have pecs without doing a single pushup and eating containers of donuts, it’s easy to feel insecure when scrolling. Insecurity reduces relationship quality.
3. Creation of Jealousy
The unrealistic expectations, as stated above, can go further and contribute to jealousy in a relationship – especially a romantic one. When one partner sees another partner liking or following someone they feel inferior to, it’s easy for jealous, insecure feelings (even if irrational) to arise. Social media breeds these terrible feelings.
4. Boosted Connectivity and Communication
Of course, social media doesn’t have entirely terrible impacts on relationships. This new form of social media has been shown to improve connectivity and communication. Although people are communicating differently, they are talking more than before through chats, comments, and more. Now, more than ever, relationships thrive around the world like never before.
Hi! My name is Kimmy B, I am the co-host of the We’reHard podcast. I have a passion for fitness, nutrition and a healthy lifestyle. I’ve always loved working out and staying active but recently found my groove in the fitness industry.